Conflict and Christianity in Azerbaijan
22 Apr 2016
It is twenty years since the end of Moscow’s domination over the Caucasus and Central Asia, but a bitter legacy of the Soviet era is ‘frozen conflicts’ that erupt for various reasons. For two weeks there has been a new wave of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has serious destabilising potential in the South Caucasus. Although the clashes between troops have temporarily halted with a truce, the death of dozens of soldiers and civilians from both sides has caused serious concern among neighbouring countries and regional and outside powers. Azerbaijan’s wealth comes from oil reserves, the trade in which is riddled with corruption. 0.2% of Azerbaijan is Christian, with government persecution increasing. But despite harassment the Church is growing. Pray for the government to build structures that produce lasting benefits for the nation, and pray they will accept Christian values. See also:
USA: summer at IHOP
22 Apr 2016
With summer around the corner, the International House of Prayer in Kansas is preparing formative events. There will be camps and conferences that prepare people for growth and renewal: –Children’s Signs and Wonders Camps for ages 3–12 where children are trained and released to be wholeheartedly devoted to God. –Teens Awakening Camps where teens learn about their identity in God, intimacy with Jesus, intercession and how to have a lasting impact for the kingdom of God. –A high school conference for young people who desire to live radical lives of devotion to Jesus, encounter His love and bring His power and presence to school campuses and local churches. –A three-week training programme for college students and campus ministry leaders aged 18 to 30, who desire to fuel prayer in their colleges. –A conference to equip and empower pastors, parents, and leaders to pursue God and enjoy prayer.
UNICEF reports that the number of children involved in ‘suicide’ attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger has risen from four in 2014 to forty-four in 2015. One in five suicide bombers was a child. Terrorists are deceiving children and forcing them to carry out deadly acts. Half of the attacks in Cameroon were done by children, one in eight in Chad, and one in seven in Nigeria. The primary group perpetuating these tragedies is Boko Haram. An African proverb notes that children are the reward of life. Jesus didn’t keep the children far away; he welcomed them closely. Tragically we cannot physically reach the children in these countries, but we can pray that children will cease being objects to be used and start being individuals to be loved.
Australia: Christian Lobby concerns
22 Apr 2016
An Australian Christian lobbyist in Victoria is calling on citizens to make contact with their Lower and Upper House parliamentarians as parliament prepares to debate a bill aimed at stopping post-24 week abortions. The Democratic Labour Party MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins, who introduced the bill last week (it will be debated in May) has made a similar call. With 42,000 signatures already collected in support of the bill, we can pray for even more people to let politicians know their views before the debate. This can be done by email, phone calls, letters, or by meeting their local MPs. Also in Victoria, the Australian Christian Lobby is asking the education minister James Merlino to investigate as a matter of urgency a schools programme which reportedly sexualises children. Parents are still coming to terms with the radical Safe Schools programme which tells children their gender is fluid. See:
Save the date - Trumpet Call 2016
19 Apr 2016
You are invited to our next national call to prayer, Trumpet Call 2016 to be held in the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, on 15 October 2016. This year the theme of the call is Jubilee.
The term Jubilee in the Old Testament was given to the last year of a 50 year period which God instituted for the Nation of Israel to maintain the spiritual, economic and social cohesion of the nation.
The principles of Jubilee are the foundation stones of the Christian faith today, namely, redemption, reconciliation, freedom, mercy and forgiveness, restoration and unity, and they are as important for any nation today as they were in Bible times.
Trumpet Call 2016 will see Churches, Christian Agencies and Prayer Ministries from across our nations standing together to see an increasing release of these great truths through His Church into and throughout 2017. Come and be one of the 3000 people to stand and pray that day.
Put the date in your diary/phone/ iPad and share with your friends. Please pray for us in the planning and funding of this event. We will release more details in the coming weeks.
Ian Cole on behalf of the WPC team.
Watch + Pray for the EU referendum
19 Apr 2016
The World Prayer Centre believes the EU referendum will have profound effects on our nation and on Europe. The vote, and the action the nation takes after the vote, needs to be soaked in prayer. Whatever the result, it takes us into a time of political and economic uncertainty.
We believe this vote is an individual decision and encourage people to pray and listen to God. We each have a choice. At this stage, we shall not be making a recommendation on how to vote - but we shall be seeking God's will and purpose not just for this nation but also for the countries of Europe. We are praying for God's will to be done and for God's mercy on both the UK and Europe.
We believe God's heart is that none should perish and all should come to a knowledge of Him. Whatever the result we shall be praying for the gospel to be preached, shown and heard in our nation and the nations of Europe. The referendum is happening at a time of great spiritual challenge and opportunity, so we pray beyond the political and economic for God's Kingdom purpose, His mercy and deliverance.
We are calling for a season of prayer and fasting from 14 May to 2 July – covering 40 days of prayer up to 22 June, 23 June voting day and for 10 days after.
We will support these 40 days with prayer resources suitable for use for individual and corporate prayer and issue daily prayer alerts on social media. We will launch this resource at our day of prayer and worship on Saturday 14 May (alongside praying for Thy Kingdom Come (the Archbishop's week of prayer for evangelism). We will be focusing on praying for the EU referendum at our 'Every Vote Counts' prayer day on Saturday 18 June. Our Prayer Room will also be open on Voting Day, Thursday 23 June from 9.30am-11.30pm. We will watch and pray over the outcome at our day of prayer on 2 July. Find out more.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU DECIDE
There are a number of resources available for us to prayerfully consider all of the issues from a biblical perspective:
CARE – Read arguments from both sides
Christians in Politics EU Focus information and resources.
Evangelical Alliance's Idea Magazine May- June 2016 will carry many articles on The Europe Issue
Reimagining Europe a multidisciplinary blog hosted by the Church of England and the Church of Scotland with the editorial support of Crucible, the Christian Journal of Social Ethics. Reimagining Europe's central aim is to create a space for Christian reflection and debate on Britain's future relationship with Europe ahead of the forthcoming referendum on whether Britain should remain a member of the EU.
Theos Think Tank – A soul for the union pdf downloadable
The Jubilee Centre is producing a number of discussion papers and articles in the lead up to the EU Referendum.
The Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics (KLICE) are launching extended comment pieces.
US car racing star Phil Robertson recently prayed publicly before a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) event. He said to the crowd gathered at the Texas Motor Speedway, ‘All right Texas, we got here via Bibles and guns, I'm fixing to pray to the One who made that possible.’ Robertson then prayed, ‘Father, thank you for founding our nation. I pray Father that we don't forget who brought us - You. Our faith in the blood of Jesus and His resurrection - help us Father to get back to that.’ Robertson also said he hoped God would ‘put a Jesus man in the White House’, and prayed for those serving in the US military. His prayer received mixed reviews. Some called it a complete disaster; others praised Robertson’s straight talk.
Nepal: paralysed arm healed through prayer
15 Apr 2016
Tyler Connell was in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal distributing Bibles, praying for the sick, and preaching the Good News. As they were trekking to a village they had visited on a previous trip, a man came running full speed toward them. He had heard about their last visit and the power of the God they worship. He fell at their feet on the trail and showed them his paralysed left arm and begged to be healed. Tyler’s small group surrounded the man and prayed for healing in Jesus’ name. Within five minutes the man began to receive mobility, movement was restored, and all pain ceased! He gave his life to Jesus on the spot, and ripped his witchcraft amulet off his neck. Overcome with gratitude he started to dance and shout with joy while waving his ‘new’ mobile arm around in circles. Tyler gives all the glory to God. ‘Ha! Jesus wins! He’s so much better than idolatry!’